Liquid processing system involving high-energy discharge

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus are disclosed for efficient endothermic processing of liquids and the precipitation of dissolved elements and chemical compounds. Improvements over prior systems include system layout, components and modes of operation of the system. Applications of the system include destruction of toxic wastes and sewage treatment, precipitation of chemical compounds and elements including metals from solution (brine, sea water, industrial waste), sterilization and water purification, catalytic formation of chemical compounds, and processing of hydrocarbons.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to liquid processing systems, and in particular toa system for endothermic processing of liquids and the precipitation ofthe dissolved substances from the liquid.

High-energy electrical discharge into a closed liquid volume for thepurpose of changing chemical constituents or removing certain elementsor compounds from solution has been known, sometimes under the nameelectro-hydraulics. U.S. Pat. No. 3,220,873 of R. H. Wesley, titled"Coating and Impregnation of Articles by Spark Generated Shock Waves"discusses the removal of constituents from liquids containing chemicalcompounds. Areas of application disclosed in the patent include platingof an electrode with metal, impregnation of surfaces with desiredsubstances, and the removal of constituents from solutions asprecipitates, such as for recovering metals from solution.

The following additional patents also have some relationship to thesubject of electro-hydraulics: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,222,902, 3,232,085,3,267,710, 3,408,432, 3,456,291, 3,491,010, 3,609,286, 3,644,984,3,688,535, 3,797,294, 3,857,265 and 4,077,888. These patents are not aspertinent to the subject matter of this invention as is the Wesleypatent, most of them dealing with metal forming by electrical discharge.

Previous to the present invention, the use of high-energy electricaldischarge into a volume of liquid had not been an efficient andpractical tool for recovery of metals and other substances from liquidsor slurries, for treatment of waste water, particularly with industrialwastes, for purification of water or other purposes. Previously nearlyall work done with electro-hydraulics experimental, not practical forindustrial processes for several reasons. One reason was that in therepeated discharging of a high-energy electrical arc across a gapbetween electrodes, the electrodes are rather rapidly eroded and burnedup. Similarly, switching components are consumed by burnup. There hasnot been suggested any practical approach for addressing this problem,and such a substantial down time would have been required with previoussystems, for replacing electrodes insulators and switch elementsconsumed in the process, that the process was not made economicallyfeasible.

Another problem with the systems suggested in prior patents was that theeffect of the sharp shock wave that is sent through the liquid, on thefiring chamber and auxiliary systems, was not taken into consideration.

Further problems with prior suggested systems were high self-inductanceof electrical circuits and assemblies to the extent that efficiencywould be severely reduced, high component cost, particularly replacementcomponents, to the extent of diminishing feasibility, inefficientconduction of power to the electrodes in the firing chamber, and ingeneral a failure to take advantage of the industrial potential of theprocess.

It is among the objects of the present invention to address these andother short comings of the prior systems, as well as to include furtheradvantageous features which increase the efficiency of this process by avery large factor and make it applicable efficiently to a number ofindustrial processing applications and including new fields notpreviously contemplated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a system according to the present invention, liquid processing usinga high-energy electrical discharge through a contained volume isperformed at very high efficiency, with relatively low component cost,very low down time relatively low power consumption and low plant costfor a relatively high volume throughput.

In preferred embodiments of the system high-energy discharges are pulsedthrough successive liquid volumes at a rate of at least once per sixseconds, and preferably faster, such as once per second or morefrequently.

The firing chamber of the system of the invention is speciallyconfigured to attenuate shock waves, and in addition, hydraulic shockabsorbers are positioned upstream and downstream of the firing chamber,without rigid flow barriers such as valves.

An important feature of the invention is the construction of the firingchamber assembly, whereby the firing chamber is held together byhydraulic pressure exerted by a piston acting against spring pressuretending to open the assembly. By this construction, the stackedcomponents can be readily disassembled by release of the hydraulicpressure, for quick removal of electrodes, insulators and otherconsumable components which are subject to eroding and burnup in theprocess. Additionally, the electrodes and insulators may includes aburnup volume, which can be burned away while still allowing the processto function efficiently. In this way, a large sacrificial volume isincluded on consumable components to increase the service time of thecomponents before they must be replaced.

Another aspect of the invention is electrode feed and insulator sleevefeed, whereby these consumable components are continually fed into thefiring chamber during the process, so that the consumed volumes of thesecomponents are continually replaced and disassembly is not necessary,eliminating down time. The insulator may actually be extruded by anextruding device during operation of the system. Alternatively, aspacial composite may be used in a long-life insulator.

In one embodiment of the invention, a special high efficiency electrodeand firing chamber design produces a phenomenon known as plasmacompression or theta pinch, for compressing the discharge arc andproducing an electromagnetic discharge of shorter wavelengths, whichproduces better efficiency and more effective breakdown and removal ofcertain substances from solution.

In some embodiments of the invention, hollow electrodes in opposedconfiguration in the firing chamber constantly induct a fluid into thefiring chamber (to mix with the processed liquid), which cools theelectrodes and prolongs their life.

Also in accordance with embodiments of the invention highly efficientarrangements are included for power conduction to the electrodes and forswitching power to the electrodes. If a blown rail gap switch is used,it can include an electrode contact slide. A special switch inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention is coaxial, with theelectrodes constantly immersed in a gas bath which greatly reduceselectrode burnup. The switch assembly has a very low self-inductance,includes some burnup volume for prolonging life, has a cooling means forcooling the switch components, and a special triggering devicecomprising an ignition electrode with an RF trigger. It can also includean arc blowout feature for self-interruption of the discharge current.

In further aspects of the invention, an assembly of multipleelectro-hydraulic units are efficiently banked together in a plant, anda solid-state embodiment of the invention it is disclosed.

Other objects advantages and features of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description of a preferred embodiment, consideredalong with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross sectional view illustrating the physicalprinciples of the electro-hydraulic process.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a portion of a system such asmay be included in the present invention, including a firing chamber andan external shock absorbed, and illustrating construction principles forthe firing chamber and adjacent components, for handling the shock waveassociated with electro-hydraulic discharge and for handling the burn-upof the electrodes and firing chamber wall during the life of the firingchamber.

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of the system, showing a layout of anentire system in accordance with the invention, including the firingchamber, upstream and downstream hydraulic shock absorbers, powersupply, discharge switch, liquid input/output and auxiliary systems.

FIG. 3A is a detailed view illustrating a coaxial type electrodearrangement.

FIG. 3B is a view similar to FIG. 3A but showing an opposed electrodearrangement.

FIGS. 3C, 3D and 3E show in plan, end elevation and side elevation aprototype system built in accordance with the invention, and thelocation of principal components in an actual assembly

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a preferred firing chamberconstruction wherein the firing chamber assembly is held together byhydraulic pressure and with provision for facilitating convenientexchange of firing chamber components as they are used up.

FIG. 4A is a top plan view of the firing chamber construction of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of a modifiedfiring chamber construction wherein liquid infeed is from the bottom ofthe chamber and outflow is through the bottom center, and showing anelectrode feed arrangement. FIG. 5 also illustrates the arrangement ofcomponents of the firing chamber structure which enable the consumablecomponents to be readily replaced in a minimum of time.

FIG. 5A is a schematic view showing an overall firing chamber assembly,including a center electrode apparatus which advances the electrode intothe firing chamber as the tip of the electrode is consumed, andextrusion device for extruding an insulator sleeve which follows theadvancing center electrode, and other components involved in thisembodiment of a firing chamber construction.

FIG. 5B is a detailed view showing a coaxial electrode arrangement, withan insulating sleeve formed of a special composite material for longerlife.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of a firingchamber in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment theelectrodes are opposed, with both electrodes advanced into the chamberand including an advanced, extruded insulating sleeve around eachelectrode. FIG. 6 also illustrates a firing chamber configuration forattenuating shock waves from the plasma discharge.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a portion of an electrode assemblywherein the electrodes are opposed and the arc radiation is shiftedtoward shorter wavelength using plasma compression. In FIG. 7 theelectrodes are hollow and coolant flows through them for cooling theelectrodes and surrounding components, and a special arrangement isshown for conducting power to the electrodes.

FIG. 7A is a schematic representation illustrating the pattern ofshockwave fronts which can occur with plasma compression.

FIG. 7B is graph plotting energy wavelength in the plasma compression ortheta pinch mode of operation.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a form of blown rail gap switch which maybe used in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 8A is a view showing a replacement electrode slide for the assemblyof FIG. 8.

FIG. 8B is an elevational cross section of the blown rail gap switch ofFIG. 8 and associated components.

FIG. 8C is a detailed view showing the electrodes and a contact slidearrangement associated with the blown rail gap assembly shown in FIGS.8A and 8B.

FIG. 8D is a simplified schematic showing an ignition generatorassociated with the blown rail gap of the preceding views.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating another embodiment of a switchin accordance with the invention. The switch of FIG. 9 is coaxial andincludes a number of features which produce a long service life.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing a number of electro-hydraulicunits of the invention arranged in parallel, for input and output ofprocessed fluid and cooling air.

FIG. 11 is a schematic drawing illustrating a transducer activatedelectro-hydraulic process chamber in accordance with another embodimentof the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS I. Principle Involved (FIG. 1)

In the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates the general principle involved inthe system of the invention. The principle is sometimes known aselectro-hydraulic.

The electro-hydraulic effect is described in terms of following eventsin time, starting with the discharged of stored energy into a liquidvolume 10 and the space around a center electrode 12 (in the case of acoaxial electrode arrangement as illustrated).

At the moment of the closure of a discharge switch (not shown), thecurrant at the surface of the center electrode 12 begins to heat up theliquid. When the boiling point of the liquid is reached, a blanket ofsteam starts forming on the electrode surface. Until that time, nopressure increase is generated in the liquid and the energy used so faris lost as far as the desired effects are concerned.

As the steam blanket expandsout from the electrode 12, the electrodesurface is increasingly insulated from the conducting liquid. Thiseffect is accelerated by the fact that the current ia driven (althoughcontinuously increasing at this point in time) in a "current drivingmode." Therefore, the electrical conduction shifts from the insulatedparts of the electrode to areas that are still in contact with theliquid, heating these regions even faster.

When the entire electrode tip is covered by steam, the steam blanketbreaks through electrically and the electrical discharge generates aplasma region 14 that becomes heated up very fast by the ionic current.Since the current flows from the electrode against the plasma-liquidinterface, more liquid is ionized at that interface due to the ionbombardment and the pressure in that region rises quickly.

The electrical resistance of the plasma is much higher than that of theliquid, and therefore most of the supplied energy is deposited there.

At this point the plasma region is a source of intense light, much of itin the UV region, that irradiates the liquid volume 10 according to thespecific radiation-absorption condition of the liquid, the chemicalcompounds dissolved in it, etc.

The power levels desired are quite high, and can be approximately twogigawatts per liter, and for all practical purposes it can be said thatthe matter in the entire volume 10 is temporarily ionized at some timeor another during the discharge.

As the plasma region 14 expands, it generates a shock wave 16 thatpropagates through the volume and compresses the liquid in the zone 18behind it. Depending on the discharge circuit, its timing elements(circuit inductance, storage capacitance, etc.) and the conductiveproperties of liquid and plasma, part or all of the firing chambervolume is irradiated while the compression takes place; and that processmight continue during the propagation of the rarefaction zone 20following the compression wave.

Since the turbulence in the shocked material is very high, and since thephoton flux keeps the material ionized, it is believed that theelectrical bonds between the molecules and atoms are canceled, with allchemicals going into the free-ion state.

After the radiation ceases to exist and the plasma cools off,recombination occurs according to chemical reactions possible by theelements present; however, it is observed that nonreactive elementsprecipitate out not in molecular form but in micron-sized particles.That is thought to be the case because of the turbulence going on whilesome elements are still partially ionized and therefore electricallypositive-charged, while others are temporarily negative-charged by thefree electrons present and therefore electrically mutually attracted.

Particles as large as 100 microns have been observed, and the lowerlimit observed is limited by the resolution of analytical instruments(microscope, particle spectrometer). The forming of the relatively largesolids particles important for the commercial aspect of this method,since these particles can easily be filtered from the liquid bymechanical means. Fine mesh filters work wall, but centrifugal filteringis industrially more convenient.

After the shock waves hit the container wall (not shown), some of itsenergy is reflected and some propagates through the material of theprocess vessel (not shown in FIG. 1). The vessel has to be constructedto withstand the pressure generated; depending on discharge energy andtiming it is on the order of a few hundred thousand psi.

Fortunately, the wall material (e.g. steel) has a tendency to workharden and even some permanent volume compression of the firingchamber's steel wall has been observed, probably due to the eliminationof microscopic voids in the material. Also, a self-compression loadingeffect takes place on the inside surface of the process container(firing chamber), prestressing its inside surfaces. Firing chambers areillustrated in later figures.

As far as electrode materials and insulating materials are concerned, acertain burnup rate has to be expected, and these materials have to bereplaced, either by dismantling the firing chamber (a hydraulic lock ofthe invention, discussed below, makes that arrangement practical to usein an industrial environment) and exchanging the used parts, or they canbe continuously replaced. The central electrode can be fed into thefiring chamber as it burns up, and the insulation around it can beextruded by an extrusion device mounted next to the electrode feedmechanism.

Depending on liquids to be processed, frequency of machine use,operating conditions, etc., the polarity can be either negative on thecenter electrode 12, causing electrolytic transfer of some material fromthe container wall and the concentric electrode 22 (which is inelectrical contact with the container wall), or the polarity can benegative on the container wall, using up the center electrode morerapidly. Two opposing electrodes are also possible (shown in laterfigures); these can be adjusted externally by a mechanism as they areconsumed, giving greater efficiency to the process but requiring arelatively complex feed mechanism.

What firing chamber design is used, what electrode arrangement and whatmaterials are used in the process are subject to economicconsiderations, such as what liquids are to be processed, operatingcosts, permissible frequency and duration of service intervals, and soon.

Since all chemical compounds in the process liquid are being ionized,this method has a wide range of applications. Examples are thedestruction of toxic waste, mineral recovery from waste, sewage watersand geothermal brines, the desalination of liquids, including theremoval of nutrients that could cause bacterial growth, the processingof sewage water into irrigation water, etc. The machine can be used as acatalyst for chemical reactions and the photon flux can supply theenergy for endothermic reactions.

Typical power levels are on the order of 20 to 25 kilowatts for a flowrate of approximately 40 gallons per minute through a machine, resultingin an overall operations cost of the equipment between 0.2 cent/gallon(high) and 0.05 cent/gallon (low), depending on the wear of theequipment.

These costs are important for the commercial applications of the processand the principal objective of the invention is directed toward bringingcosts down per unit of production.

Since the conducted charges are quite high (for a 50,000 gallon/daymachine they may be on the order of approximately 750,000 coulombs) thedifficulties experienced with this type of electrical dischargeequipment have to do with the burnup of electrodes in the firing chamberand in the discharge switch serving the chamber. Therefore, the designof easily exchangeable electrodes in these parts is important for theusefulness of the electro-hydraulic process in commercial applications.

One aspect of the present invention is the use of solid state shock wavegeneration by transducers and the selective photolytic dissociation ofmolecular bonds by coherent light (use of lasers for ionization). Theinvention also contemplates the use of solid state switching devices,and more efficient firing chambers, as made from nonconducting materialssuch as quartz, ceramic, etc. With these features, operations cost canbe brought down by approximately two orders of magnitude, makingeconomic designation of seawater possible.

It also should be pointed out that the energy efficiency of the processincreases with the firing chamber volume, and that machines inaccordance with the invention can be built in any size.

A prototype built for a throughput of 50,000 gallons/day (at powerconsumption of 27 kilowatts) requires approximately $100 to $200 per dayin coat of electrical power and spare parts. This makes s basicembodiment of the invention suitable for all the applications described,except for economic mineral recovery from seawater and its use forirrigation.

II. Firing Chamber, Electrode/Chamber Erosion, and Attenuation of Shockwaves (FIG. 2).

FIG. 2 shows an example of a liquid processing system (LPX) inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Other configurationsare possible and are discussed below.

The firing chamber body 24 in this embodiment may be designed forapproximately 50,000 to 100,000 psi static pressure, and 500,000 psidynamic pressure.

A Firing chamber "lid" 26 or grounded electrode is held against thefiring chamber body 24 by external hydraulic pressure (by structurediscussed below in reference to FIGS. 4 and 5) or mechanically bolted tothe firing chamber body (as by spring loading, threads, bolts, etc.).

A hushing 28 comprising an electrical insulating sleeve isconcentrically located inside the grounded electrode 26. Within thesleeve 28 is the center electrode 30, which may be stainless steelnickel alloy, heavy-metal or copper-heavy metal alloy, depending onlifetime desired. This electrode can be fed into the chamber, togetherwith a sacrificial sleeve 28 or independent of it, or the arrangementcan be fixed and replaced periodically.

An O-ring seal 32 provides a liquid seal against process fluid leakageto the exterior of the preferably cylindrical firing chamber 34. At aprocess fluid inlet 36 there is a flow restriction 38. Adjacent to theflow restriction 38 is a pressure equalizing volume 40 allowing pressureto equalize around the annulus of a gap 42 formed between the groundedelectrode 26 and the firing chamber wall 44.

As indicated by a broken line 46 in FIG. 2, a sacrificial volume orburnup volume 48 is included in the electrodes and sleeve 28 and also inthe firing chamber wall 44. This is the amount of material that can belost without compromising the firing chamber performance.

The firing chamber 34 preferably includes a conical shock wave reflector50 for reflecting the moving wave front and keeping it in the chamber 34as much as possible. The process fluid exits the chamber through a Fluidchannel 52, and a shock attenuator 54 comprising a 90 degree sharp bendis included in the channel. A threaded fitting 56 with a conical inlet58 may be rated for 5,000 to 10,000 psi operating pressure. A transferline 60 leads from the fitting 56, and, depending on length, may have aburst pressure rating of 10,000 to 20,000 psi.

An air (or nitrogen) supply line is shown at 62, for feeding pressurizedgas into a shock absorber vessel 64, which may be designed for about 800psi maximum pressure al operating pressures of between 50 and 150 psi.At 66 is a liquid outlet (or inlet) fitting (the flow through the firingchamber can be in either direction).

Proper damping of the generated shock wave energy in the process of theinvention is crucial for the functioning of the system, since theequipment can be destroyed by unattenuated shock waves in a very shorttime. The hydraulic shock absorber structure 64 in FIG. 2 forms a partof the system of the invention. A second, similar hydraulic shockabsorber (not shown) is used upstream of the liquid inlet 36.

The functioning of the hydraulic shock attenuation system is as follows:

The flow direction of the liquid through the firing chamber 34 has verylittle to do with the generation and attenuation of the shock waves fromthe discharge. The propagation speed of shock waves is large as comparedto the speed of the moving fluid.

Fluid (wastewater, sea water, brine, etc.) enters the firing chamberthrough the inlet port 36, from a shock absorber which may be identicalto that shown at 64. The apace 40 is provided to give a uniform flow ofliquid through the gap 42.

A conical section 68 of the electrode 26 helps attenuate the shock waveenergy to an extent, along with the fact that the shock is generated inthe opposite direction. This enables a fluid connection rated at about1/20 that of the pressure rating of the firing chamber body to be used.

In the forward direction, the conical section 50 of the firing chamberreflects most of the shock wave back at different angles, and so avoidsnodes of concentrated pressure from reflected waves. (This is for pulsesgenerating pressure waves which are short as compared to the firingchamber dimensions.)

In fact, the shock wave energy is attenuated by multiple reflectionsinside the firing chamber 34 and is generally turned into a "whitenoise." The channel 52 together with the 90 degree angle at 54, providesfor a very high flow resistance for fast pulses of "water hammer," andat the walls of the space 54 the rest of the shock energy coming downthrough the channel 52 is reflected back into the chamber.

Moreover, the attenuation of the primary shock is not the only item ofconcern. Gases generated by the electrolytic action of the current andby the chemical reactions of the compounds dissolved in the fluidgenerate expanding has bubbles that accelerate e fluid out of the firingchamber. This amounts to a secondary "shock " smaller in amplitude, butlonger in time.

So as not to disrupt the flow of the liquid by this action, differentialflow resistance is built into the design. (If enough gas isprecipitated, the firing chamber could be acting as its own pump becauseof the difference in dynamic pressure in the feed lines in and out, andthe inertia of the water columns.)

The flow resistance of the gap 42 increases dramatically with the liquidvelocity. At the 90 degree bend 54 there is also an increase inresistance, but to a lesser degree. Therefore the liquid has a tendencyto move from point 38 to the fitting 56 as shown on the drawing, and notin the other direction.

The pressure rating of the inlet and outlet feed lines 60 depends to agreat extent on their length. The pressure drops approximately linearlyfrom the point 54 to the end of an input tube 70 in the shock absorber64. The liquid level 72 is held near the tube end by a small supply ofgas (air, but nitrogen if the oxygen is detrimental to the gasesgenerated by the reactions).

The high liquid level 72a shown in the drawing is for the input shockabsorber design, while the low level 72 is indicated for the outputside. Through the gas supply 62 the external gas is supplied at aquantity or flow rate large enough to cover the loss of gas byturbulence in the container body 74, i.e. by mixing or dissolving of thegas into the liquid.

Since the flow resistance from the end of the tube 70 to the liquidsurface is small, the tube back pressure is essentially the same as thegas supply pressure.

At 66 is shown the output (or input) connection fitting to the system,running at a constant 100 to 150 psi depending on flow resistance of thefiring chamber-hydraulic connections, etc. Any primary shock wave energycoming down the lines is dissipated in the large volume of liquid in theshock absorbers and at the liquid surface therein.

The hydraulic fitting a on the firing chamber have to be conicallyenlarged as shown at 58, in order to prevent axial loading of thethreads, that have been shown to fail if ordinary stepped fittings arcused having a shoulder al this location. By using a chambered bore,however, the dynamic pressure expands the fittings slightly and actuallyhas a tendency to stage them in even tighter.

It should be pointed out that several pounds of the firing chambermaterial can be lost due to erosion and eleotrolytic action withoutcompromising system performance. If the center electrode is held atnegative potential, the lifetime of the entire arrangement is greatlyenhanced. This is desirable for fixed mounted center electrodes 30, andartificial sleeve 28. For continuously replaceable center electrodes andfed sleeves or long lasting composite sleeves, a positive polarity onthe center electrode prevents electrolytic erosion of the firing chamberbody and of the lid 26. Depending on service intervals allowable and thedesign selected, either electrode material or firing chamber materialcan be selectively sacrificed. Therefore, if a fixed center electrode 30is used, of heavy and corrosion-resistant construction, this electrodeshould generally be negative, with the firing chamber walls having thepositive polarity where wear will occur. On the other hand, with acontinuously fed electrode and surrounding insulative sleeve, the centerelectrode can be positive.

In order to keep the process functioning properly, the discharge fromthe energy storage bank must be prevented from overswinging in anegative direction; otherwise, both electrodes will be depletedelectrolytically, and the lifetime of the equipment will be greatlyreduced. Therefore the discharge circuit (is inductance and dampingresistance) must be properly adjusted to the conductivity of the liquidand its plasma.

In one embodiment, i.e. a prototype, a fixed electrode 30 is used, andinsulating bushings 28 are made from quartz or nylon, and therefore thecenter electrode 30 (tungsten) is run at negative potential.

The shock absorbers in the one preferred embodiment of the machine areabout eight inches in diameter, and the liquid volume of the firingchamber may be 1/20 gallon. The gas volume in the shock absorbers 64 isapproximately 5 times the volume of the firing chamber and thatarrangement has been found to work very well.

III Overall System of One Embodiment (FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B)

The schematic diagram of FIG. 3 shows one preferred embodiment of theoverall system of the electro-hydraulic liquids processor. FIGS. 3A and3B show coaxial electrodes, wherein the firing chamber body is normallygrounded to the outer electrode; and an alternative arrangement whereina pair of opposed positive and negative electrodes are both in the formof rods. FIGS. 3C 3D and 3E show arrangement of components in an actualassembly.

Referring to FIG. 3 power from a power main 76 is stepped up in a highvoltage power supply (HVPS) 78, and charges an energy storage bank 80.This can be a capacitor bank (as shown) an inductive store, the energycan be supplied by an electromechanical pulse generator. When the bank80 is charged, a trigger generator 82 fires the discharge switch 84, andthe bank discharges its energy through the electrode 86 into a smallvolume of liquid 88 around the tip of the electrode.

The generated plasma expands, creating a shock wave 90 and a burst oflight, which propagates through the liquid volume.

All electrical bonds between the molecules of the compounds dissolved inthe liquid and the liquid itself are in essence temporarily canceled.The generated turbulence from the shock and the shock wave itself andits rarefaction zone precipitate dissolved solids out as insolubles(unless they are directly reactive with the liquid itself, or with eachother). In the rarefaction zone, the solid compounds congeal intomicron-sized particles that can be removed by simple filteringtechniques. The flow restrictions in the firing chamber, in and out,provide for the reflection of the shock wave energy as discussed above,and the hydraulic shock absorbers 64 attenuate the rest, preventingdamage to pipes and pumps of the system.

Since the discharge pulses are in the order of tens of microseconds (ata discharge current between 10 and 300 kiloamperes for a chamber volumeof 1/20 gallon to one gallon), the wave length of the shock wave is onthe order of a few inches.

Therefore, no valves are needed to close the firing chamber, and acontinuous liquids exchange can be used.

As a pump 92 pumps the liquid through the firing chamber (constructed towithstand several hundred thousand psi peak pressure) the precipitatedparticles are carried by the advancing liquid stream into a centrifugalseparator 94 (or any other kind of filtering device), where the solidsare separated from the liquid and the liquid is then discharged at 96and the solids (approximately 50% to 70% liquids content) are collected(98).

A level control line keeps the liquid level in the shock absorbersconstant. The air lines 62 contain orifices to limit flow rate of air(or other gas) into the shock absorbers 64, and air is constantly beingpassed out of the shock absorbers with the liquid flowing through; thepressure inside the vessel is always less than the supply pressure fromthe air compressor.

The pressure drop of the firing chamber of the embodiment illustrated isapproximately 50 psi, and the pressure drop in the separator 94 may beset to 60 psi.

In tuning of the firing chamber, experimental results have shown thatdifferent energy levels (and different discharge lengths) favor theprecipitation of different chemical compounds from a mixture of allcompounds, as should be expected by such a photolytic process.

In experiments performed with the illustrated embodiment, the shockfront 90 traveled throughout the liquid volume while the discharge fromthe electrode was still active. The peak discharge current occurred atapproximately 3/4 the traveling distance of the shock front along itslongest path length.

FIGS. 3C, 3D and 3E show in plan, end elevation and aide elevation viewsa preferred assembly of a liquid processing system of the invention.These view show arrangement of most of the system components shownschematically in FIG. 3, with principal components labeled.

IV. Firing Chamber Configuration--Hydraulic Lock (FIGS. 4 and 4A)

Different engineering approaches to the firing chamber design arepossible and are encompassed by the invention. The electro-hydraulicassembly 100 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A is intended for industrialapplications of the machine; variations are contemplated for increasedmachine performance and for various operating modes.

The liquid processing system (LPX) may be run with two different typesof insulators, one from nylon and one made from quartz. A nylonelectrode sleeve 102 is shown in FIG. 4.

Shown in the drawing of FIG. 4 is the firing chamber assembly of themachine of this embodiment, and the mounting arrangement or assemblyarrangement of the accompanying components.

By lifting an hydraulic piston 104 to an upper position as indicated insolid lines, the entire firing chamber assembly 106 can be lifted from alower cradle 108, and the center electrode 110 and connected anvil 111and insulator 112 at a head end of the assembly can be replaced in amatter of a few minutes. A load transfer plate 114 may be biased byretraction springs 116 (four may be provided) toward an upper position(shown in lower position), moving the piston 104 up as it rises. Withthis movement, hydraulic fluid moves out of an hydraulic cylinder 118,exiting through an inlet port 120. With the piston 104 retracted, thisleaves the components at the top of the firing chamber 122 available forremoval and replacement. A frame 124 (as of structural steel) supportsthese components and provides a rigid framework against which thehydraulic force acts.

The fluid lines used are flexible hydraulic high pressure hoses and neednot be disconnected for this service operation.

This "hydraulic lock" of the firing chamber structure is an importantfeature of the invention, since it provides operator convenience andtime savings, on a machine in operation.

The illustrated arrangement may be called the electro-hydraulicassembly, and comprises the most highly stressed part of the system ofthe invention.

The liquids processing takes place in the liquid volume space 126 of thefiring chamber 122.

The hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic ram or piston 104 not onlyholds the firing chamber closed against the explosive pressure generatedby the plasma arc, but also provides the liquid seal between the firingchamber body 128 and the grounded electrode 130 (a seal is provided at131), between the grounded electrode 130 and the coaxial insulator andpressure seal 112, and between the insulator/pressure seal 112 and theanvil/electrode holder 111. Also, this arrangement provides the contactpressure necessary for electrical connections between the lower cradle108 and the firing chamber body 128 (for the grounded electrode) andbetween an electrical power connecting plate 132 and the anvil 111 (forthe center electrode). An electrical insulator pad 133 insulates thepower plate 132 from the load transfer plate 114 above.

Another important feature of this arrangement is in the self-aligning ofthe assembly with the hydraulic cylinder 118, by the use of a nylon disc134 that liquefied under the hydraulic pressure and allows forself-centering and axial alignment of the force applied by the piston104. This prevents side leading and wear of the piston in the cylinder118, and assures an equal pressure necessary for a positive sealingaction of the firing chamber parls around their circumference.Manufacturing tolerances, i.e. variational from part to part, are takenup in this way.

The retracting springs 116 hold the upper assembly in place, i.e. theyretain the cylinder 118 against an upper cradle 136 (retained to theframe 124 by bolts 138), and the load transfer plate 114 against thelower end of the piston, as discussed above.

The described hydraulic firing chamber lock assembly is especiallyuseful for constructions wherein the electrodes have to be replacedmanually and are not fad automatically into the firing chamber, sincefrequent refurbishing might have to take place.

Another feature of the hydraulically operated firing chamber is that thefiring chamber components are preloaded by the external pressure andtherefore the alternating, internal pressure does not fatigue the firingchamber body 128 as much as it otherwise would.

The heavy assembly frame 124 shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A helps to keep downvibrations caused by the operation of the firing chamber. The firingchamber is also designed in such a way that the weight of the firingchamber body approximately equals the weight of the "lid" (i.e. theparta 111, 112 and 130 as well as the electrodes and insulatethemselves) and the plate 114, thus resulting in cancellation of thevibration generating forces in the up-and-down direction, and keepingthe frame steadily at the same location.

The following further components are shown in the schematic assemblyviews of FIGS. 4 and 4A: A pair of lifting eyebolts 140 secured lo theframe 124; a pressure pad 142 (e.g. brass or copper plate) between theframe 124 and the upper cradle 136; process fluid inlet and cutlet ports144 and 146 in the firing chamber body 128, communicating with theliquid process volume 126; a manifold volume 148 in the firingchamber/process volume, for evenly distributing the input process fluid;a shock wave attenuator gap 150 in the firing chamber, as discussedabove (FIG. 2); a grounded electrical power connection 152 inelectrically conductive connection with the firing chamber body 128; abottom pressure pad 154; and bottom connecting bolts 156.

V. Variations of LPX Fixing Chamber; Electrode Feed Mechanism, FlatPlate Transmission Line and Methods for Generating Faster Pulses (FIGS.5, 5A, 5B).

The drawing of FIG. 5 shows an alternate configuration 160 of the LPXtype firing chamber. In this case an external liquids manifold 162 isused. When the hydraulic ram 164 is withdrawn (generally as discussedabove) the firing chamber body 166 can be lifted off the manifold andcarried elsewhere for rebuilding without the need to disconnecthydraulic lines. In this embodiment the firing chamber is connected bothat top and bottom by pressure seals (O-rings are shown at 168, top andbottom), providing for easy disassembly of the parts. Coaxialconnections to flat plate power transmission lines 170 and 172, viaspring contacts 174, are easily released when the hydraulic ram 164 iswithdrawn, leaving the "lid" (grounded electrode 176) free. For thecenter electrode 178, a conductive disc 180 transfers current to theelectrode via the spring contacts 174, as shown.

In this arrangement the center electrode 178 is fed into the chamber byan external mechanism (e.g. a cylinder actuator as in FIG. 5A) but theinsulating sleeve 182 is not. The insulating sleeve is made from acomposite material of high temperature resistance (e.g. carborundum,quartz) and a carrier material that absorbs the mechanical shock andsubstantially liquefies under shock wave pressure (e.g. teflonpolyolefins).

As indicated by arrows 184, flow of process liquid in this embodiment isfrom a inlet port 186 to an annular inlet channel 188 into the chamber,then out through a central exit channel 190 and an exit port 192.

FIG. 5B shows schematically the assembly of the composite insulator 182and the center electrode 178. The insulator 182 absorbs and attenuatesthe shock its carrier material melts and evaporates at the surface 194.The quartz or sapphire particles then form a burnup-resistant film onthe surface 194, so that insulator lifa is extended without "feeding" aninsulator into the chamber.

The drawing of FIG. 5A shows an LPX type firing chamber 196 and frame198 fitted with an electrode feed mechanism 200 in accordance with theinvention. This may be in the form of a hydraulic cylinder 202 as shown,capable of adjusting the position of the electrode rod 178 reaching downinto the firing chamber. An insulating sleeve extruder as shown at 204(with associated extruding equipment 206) provides a continuousreplacement of the insulated sleeve component, as both the centerelectrode and the sleeve around it are used up.

In this way the down time of the machine can be reduced greatly, makinga more profitable operation possible. Also with this arrangement, higherdischarge currents can be used (using the flat plate transmission line170, 172) resulting in hotter plasma operation, shorter wave length oflight with greater ionization-potential, and therefore more efficientoperation and savings in energy (The entire light spectrum of the arc isshifted more toward the ultraviolet due to hotter operation.)

The electrical connection to the center electrode is made by twospring-loaded metal blocks (not shown). The insulating sleeve flowsaround them under the pressure of the extruder. This arrangement islocated inside the connector 208 of the center electrode.

VI. Opposed Electrode Arrangement; Conductive Coolant Fluid as Trigger;Fixed and Extruded Insulator Sleeves (FIG. 6).

For nonconductive fluids and/or for greater firing chamber efficiency,opposed electrodes should be used. Because of the inductance of such anarrangement higher operating voltages have to be generated. The highervoltages are also necessary to break through the gap in the case ofnonconductive process fluids (hydrocarbons etc.). Since the shock waveand the light energy can spread out in all directions here an increasein efficiency of about a factor of two can be realized.

Shown in the drawing of FIG. 6 is a firing chamber 210 designed for aflow rate of, for example, two million gallons per day, using fedelectrodes 212 and extruded thermoplastic insulating sleeves 214. Theposition of the electrode tips is electronically sensed and the feedmechanism driven accordingly.

The feed rate of the extruded insulating sleeves is adjusted by drivingthe extruder 216 motor (or piston, etc.) at the proper rate. The sleeveextrusion material 215 is forced through a flow chamber 217 as shown.(Chamber held to electrode holder using threads and nut 230).

High power connections are made at the outside of an insulating seal218, using laminated contact springs (multilam connections).

The discharge current may be approximately 300 kiloamperes peak for thisoperation, and the energy used per gallon of fluid (the space indicatedat 220) may be about 16 kilojoules. Because of the skin effect occurringat this high discharge current, the electrodes must be internally cooledand are therefore hollow, with a bore of about 3/8 inch diameter (seeFIG. 7).

The fluid to be processed enters through two opposing process liquidparts at 221, passes through a narrow gap 222 (e.g. 6 inch diameter)between the firing chamber wall and a conical electrode holder 224, andarrives at the process space 220, where it is irradiated.

The fluid then leaves through an identical output arrangement withoutlet ports 226, as shown in the drawing.

The firing chamber body 228 preferably is constructed from steel with ayield strength of 180,000 psi; the electrode holders 224 may be Type 416heat treated stainless steel with replaceable protective threaded nutson their tips not shown). A spring loaded washer 234 preferably is usedbetween a nut 232 and the firing chamber body 228, at the outer end ofthe electrode holder as shown.

The fluid used for electrode cooling is the same as the process fluid. Asmall amount is diverted and pumped through the hollow electrodes 212 bya high pressure pump, and it exits the electrodes into the processvolume. Operating voltage for this arrangement may be 20 to 40kilovolts, depending on the process fluid. In the case of anonconducting process fluid, the electrode cooling fluid can be madeconductive (salt water, etc.) and can act as an initiator for the plasmadischarge, or it can be doped with certain elements emitting light at aselected wavelength-peak for specifically exciting certain chemicalbonds.

Attenuation of the shock wave energy is achieved by the fact thatmultiple reflections occur between the electrode holders 224 and theconverting space of the firing chamber, as shown in FIG. 6. By the timethe shock front reaches the flow gap 222, it has lost most of itsenergy.

The converging/diverging flow channel also guides the fluid into theprocess region 220 without causing great turbulence and mixing betweenalready processed and new incoming fluid, avoiding wasting of energy byhaving to process some of the fluid volume twice.

Schematically, the machine is identical to the system described above,except for the higher-lower feature, requiring a larger power supply,storage bank, etc.

The incoming and outgoing fluid passes through external hydraulic shockabsorbence in the same manner as explained above (not shown in thisdrawing).

With this type of firing chamber layout, i.e. with opposed electrodes afurther increase in efficiency can be realized by using larger-diameter,thin-walled electrodes in combination with very fast pulses, as shown onthe drawing of FIG. 7.

VII. Plasma Compression Chamber and Short Wavelength Generation (FIG. 7,7A, 7B).

Different chemical compounds and elements require different dissociationenergies. However in a bulk process like the are generatedelectro-hydraulic process, much of the radiated energy (approximately1/2 of the supplied energy into the arc) is in the

infrared region. The energy associated with these photons might be toolow to ionize the compounds/elements in question. Therefore, it isapparently desirable to use plasma temperatures as high as possible,since the radiated light has a tendency to decay toward the longer wavelengths in any event. Therefore, unless one wants to excite certainbonds and not others which would require irradiation at narrow lightbandwidths, higher plasma temperatures would correspond to greatersystem efficiency.

Referring to FIG. 7, the plasma temperature can be raised by a "thetapitch" type plasma compression. In that process a cylindrical plasmastructure collapses inwardly on itself, as at 240 building a fine highlycompressed filament having a high temperature. The kinetic energy of themagnetically driven imploding plasma ring 240 is converted into extraheat during the compression phase.

The principle behind this process is that the increasing magnetic fieldassociated with the discharge current through the opposed electrodes242, 244, and driven by the discharge current itself (the movement ofthe ionized matter) results in a motoring force that accelerates theions inward in a radial direction.

There are two shock fronts generated by this process (shown in FIG. 7A).Depending on the discharge current waveform, a primary shock front isgenerated by the exploding outer plasma shell, at a time when a magneticfield is still relatively weak. Following this primary front is asecondary, very steep shock wave caused by the explosion of thecollapsed plasma ring that occurs when the radially accelerated plasmaatoms bounce off each other in the center 246 between the twoelectrodes.

To provide a strong enough magnetic field for this process, theelectrical pulses must be very short in order to provide the requireddischarge current (at a given energy per pulse). The hollow electrodes242, 244 used to generate the plasma ring would be too small in diameterand too long (from the connection to the discharge in the middle of thefiring chamber), resulting in too high a circuit inductance andresistive losses. Approximately 10 nanohenries inductance is allowablefor the 500 kiloamperes to 1 megaampere current.

Therefore the current is carried by a coaxial sleeve 248 is the frontend of the electrode. Sliding contact springs 250 carry the pulsecurrent to the electrode 244.

The insulation 252 for the coaxial system is provided by extrudedmaterial (nylon, teflon, etc.) which is fed into the system as shownpreviously. The hollow electrode 244 is cooled as explained before--apump pushes coolant fluid (which may be electrically conducting) throughthe electrode and cools the coaxial transmission line 248 as well as theelectrodes. For a 500 kiloampere pulse system, a few kilowatts ofcooling power are required depending on the pulse width (in themicrosecond region) and the surfaces of the transmission line(silver/rhodium plating reduces the skin effect losses greatly).

It should be pointed out that the energy required to drive such a systemis actually less than for the plasma system operating in a non-thetapinch mode (also referred to as "plasma bounce"); approximately 2kilojoules per liter of fluid would be an average value.

There is also a shock wave traveling down the length of the bore of theelectrode 244 but its attenuation at the electrode end is not a problem.

Energy for such a system can be supplied from a capacitor bank through aflat plate transmission line (not shown in FIG. 7), which feeds into thecoaxial electrode holder/transmission line 248 just outside theextrusion-mechanism. The system is quite similar to the opposedelectrode-arrangement described earlier, that operates in a regularnon-compression mode of operation.

The specifics of the plasma-bounce arrangement are as follows: theprotective nut at the tip of the electrode holder, which is areplaceable item since material loss is to be expected there; the betterelectrical parameters tailored for faster pulses; higher currentdischarge switches must be used; and the sleeved electrode arrangementkeeps the inductance and skin resistance down.

The drawings of FIGS. 7 and 7B show how the plasma ring is compressedinto a thin, very hot filament 246 that radiates in the far ultravioletregion (FIG. 7B), and how the extrusion process provides the requiredelectrical insulation for the electrodes. The insulating sleeve iscontinuously extruded between the electrode holder and the high currentconductor, and through a narrowing conical space toward the electrodetip. The high current is carried not through the entire length of theelectrode, but through the high current conductor (generally on itsouter skin) and then through the contact springs, as explained above,into the electrode itself. In this way the full length of the electrodeunder high current conditions is avoided. This avoids the highinductance and resistance which would be encountered if the full lengthof the electrode were used for current conducting.

To keep the current from electroplating material off the firing chamberwalls and the electrode holder, the electrical system is insulated fromthe firing chamber, which is at ground potential.

VIII. Rail Gap Construction (FIGS. 8-8D)

In order to make the electro-hydraulic principle useful for industrialprocessing, high discharge currents have to be switched repetitivelyfrom the energy storage bank, preferably a capacitive storage bank, intothe firing chamber.

Although commercially available switches such as ignitrons, thyratronsor spark gaps could be used, the price and lifetime of these componentsis still not adequate at the present time to make them useful for thehigh-current, high repetition-rate duty required here. The system of thepreferred embodiment of the invention, for example, may run at arepetition rate of 12/second, which is not too high for ignitions orthyratron-firing, but the cumulative switched charge makes frequentreplacement of tubes necessary, which is costly and results in much downtime for the equipment.

In the case of the two million gallon/day larger processing system whosefiring chamber was discussed previously, the switching conditions areeven more severe--the best available thyratron would have to be replacedevery few weeks and a whole bank of them would be needed, resulting inhigh circuit inductance in addition to the high cost, so that theprocessing system would be very difficult to use in an industrialenvironment.

Solid state devices are being continuously developed for higher currentsand show great promise for the future, since they would never have to bereplaced in ordinary service. However, at the present time only a bankof them could switch the discharge current required for an average sizeliquid processing system of the invention.

Accordingly, a discharge switch has been developed as a part of thepresent invention, that is based on the principle of easily replaceableelectrodes. Plasma gaps are known as the highest current carryingdevices constructed so far, but their physical arrangement required alengthy replacement procedure in the past, when their electrode materialwas used up. That made them unsuitable for firing chamber operation asin the present invention.

The idea behind the new development is in the fact that no matter howthe electrodes are arranged, a certain amount of electrode material isalways lost at each firing. However, the amount lost per unit of chargeconducted is directly dependent on the current density to which theswitch electrodes are subjected and goes down rapidly if the same switchcurrent is spread over a large surface area.

That principle has been used in the past in the construction of railgaps and rotating-arc devices, both involving the concept that theelectrodes should be kept as cool as possible during the discharge.

In the new design of the present invention, a rail gap has beenconstructed that has a large amount of electrode material

built into it to begin with, and nearly all of that material can beburned off without disturbing the operation of the device. In addition,it uses heavy-metal electrodes that are not fixed and belted to thetransmission line, carrying the current, but are mounted on a contactslide that pulls out from the high current conducting block in a matterof seconds and enables a new electrode pair to be inserted. Both thesefeatures increase the usefulness of the device substantially so that notechnically skilled personnel are required for the servicing of the railgap, and the down time for maintenance is very short.

Laminated springs provide a low-resistance contact, all along the lengthof the rail gap, assuring equal current density at each point of therail.

A blower extinguishes the arc as soon as the current ceases to exist andrestores the insulation feature of the device, ready for the bank tobuild up its charge again without keeping the switch conducting.

For a typical rail gap of this construction the operating voltage may bequite low, about ten kilovolts in the case of examples described herein.

To assure equal ignition of the entire plasma sheet all along the rails,a fast igniting generator has been provided, that uses 50 kilovolts (75kv maximum) to ignite the rails that carry only ten kilovolts. Theignition arcs are current driven through drop off resistors from afairly large storage-capacitor and a number of them are distributed allalong the rails at about 11/8 inch intervals. This ignition worksregardless of whether there is power in the rails, making very lowoperating voltages possible.

This is a distinctive feature of the new rail switch, since normallyrail gaps and spark channels have been ignited with an ignition voltageequal to or even 1/2 of the operating voltage.

In the case of the rail gap of the present invention, the ignitionoccurs in a time period so short that any variation of ignition timingfrom one part of the rail to another is negligible in comparison to thepower-current rise across the rails. (At 40 kiloamperes the maximumnormally used discharge current in a system constructed as a prototypeof the invention, the current reaches the 10 kiloampere point in 10microseconds. At 85 kiloamperes (the maximum allowable dischargecurrent), it reaches the same 10 kiloampere point in about threemicroseconds). The ignition current reaches its maximum in approximately0.1 microsecond, so that a possible 10 percent variation of that wouldbe quite inconsequential for the current distribution along the rails.

The importance of equal current distribution on the rails is of coursethat it provides the longest lifetime of the rail electrodes.

To further aid that principle, the current to and from the rails iscarried by a number (e.g. 16) of coaxial lines, all equal in length andbalanced in their conductance at the connecting points at capacitor bankand firing chamber.

Any increase in current through one line would result in a decrease ofswitched voltage in the rest of the rails (the resistance of the centerconductors of the coaxial balances against the negative resistance ofthe arc) and therefore the system balances itself into a steady state,with the current density the same at every point along the rails.

The drawings of FIGS. 8 through 8D show the rail gap 260 assembly inaccordance with the invention, in a construction which can be operatedup to about 500 kiloamperes. The drawing shows the electrodearrangement, with the main or wall electrodes 262 easily replaceable bysliding operations.

As can be seen in the drawings, the design of the rail gap and theignition circuit is quite simple. The value of this arrangement is inthe case of operation, the simplicity of the circuit and the fact thatthe heavy metal electrodes can be burned away completely before theymust be replaced.

In the design built for the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, i.e. the liquid processing system described, pure tungstenelectrodes 262 are used which are nickel plated for solderability. Therail electrodes 262 may be assembled from six pieces each, about threeinches long soldered with lead tin solder to the aides (left and right)so as not to distort the straightness of slides 264 and rail electrodes262 when the solder solidifies.

Ignition electrodes 266 (which may be 16 in number) are held by aninsulating rod 268 (FIG. 8B) that is clamped on both ends against frontand back plates (back plate 270 visible in FIG. 8B) of a plenum 272. Asthe electrodes 266 burn up, the holder 268 is pushed upward byadjustment as needed. About 1/2 year's operation can be had from one setof 161/8 inch diameter tungsten ignition electrodes 266, each 12 incheslong.

Ignition wires 274 make contact to the ignition electrode rods viacontact springs located inside of hollow bolts 276, through which theelectrodes 266 pass, so that these electrode rods 276 are slidableinside the bolts 266.

A blower 278 on the bottom of the plenum 272 applies an air stream 280through the switch gap 282 that extinguishes the arc as soon as thecurrent stops flowing, to provide quick restoration of the insulation ofinput and output side.

There is enough air supplied to move the entire arc one inch away fromthe rail electrodes 262 in less than a millisecond, during which timethe voltage increase from the main power supply is only a few volts--notenough to jump the gap.

During ignition and during firing the continuous air flow moves the arcalso, of course, but the discharge time is so short that during theentire discharge time period the arc moves only approximately 0.05 inchat the most. As explained earlier the contact from and to the electrodes262 is made by spring loaded laminations 284, between the slides 264 andslide holder structure 286, that provide very little contact resistanceand a good tight fit of the slides 264 in their holders so they do notmove, despite the vibrations of the blower meter, and of the entireliquid processor.

The burn products (tungsten oxide, etc.) are exhausted in the airstream, that is, channeled through a duct 288 away from the machine.

The ignition circuit (FIG. 8D) is self firing and does not require anyelectronic timing elements or trigger for its operation.

Power for the ignition generator may be supplied by a 75 watt 75kilovolt DC power supply that is regulated down to 50 kilovolts. Thecapacitor C1 (FIG. 8D) is charged via R1 to about 40 kilovolts. At thatvoltage, the gap GP40 breaks over and charges the ignition electrodes266 via the balancing resistor(s) R2. Since the ignition circuitinductance and capacitance is quite small (only about one microhenry andapproximately 100 pf line capacitance is present), the voltage rise onthe ignition electrodes 266 is fast, and they fire almostsimultaneously, discharging C1. After C1 is empty, the circuit balancesitself against the low-impedance power circuit through R3 and remainsneutral. Then the gap GP4O cools off and C1 charges again for the nextpulse. By adjusting the gap at GP40 and choosing a suitable drivevoltage for the 50 (75 kv) power supply, the pulse repetition rale ofthe discharge, and therefore that of the firing chamber, can be selected

Although the circuit is built to run at 40 kilovolt ignition voltage, itworks well and fires smoothly and continuously from 15 kilovolts up.

This type of ignition circuit was chosen for the liquid processingsystem of the invention, because of its simplicity and its lack ofsemiconductors and low-level electronics, which have shown a tendency tofail in high-voltage type applications, especially where high dischargecurrents and therefore high levels of generated RF are present.

The slides 264 and the slide holder 286 shown in the drawing aremanufactured from steel, nickel plated and the coaxial cable 290 (FIGS.8B, 8C) around line connection rod 292 (FIG. 8B) are made from brass andinsulated with Teflon (ultraviolet resistant).

The plenum is a fiberglass box, painted with UV-absorbing paint toprevent molecular damage.

The slides 264 can be refurbished with new electrodes indefinitely.Although tungsten is used in the preferred embodiment other metals andmetal alloys have shown to work quite well. Hastalloy (nickel alloys)works quite well as electrode material with somewhat reduced lifetime,but is much less costly. Ordinary stainless steel electrodes last quitewell, and can be used for low cost and infrequent operation.Continuously run they last about one day, depending on the dischargecurrent.

IX. Coaxial Plasma Switch for Higher-Current Operation and for SelfInterrupting Discharge Circuit (Specially Suited for High Flow Machinesand Plasma Compression Chamber Operation) (FIG. 9).

The rail gap construction 260 above has an insertion and built-in selfinductance of approximately 12 nanohenries. This is more than adequatewith the operation of the small liquid processing system of theinvention, and even in systems quite larger than that illustrated in thedrawing. Also, several of these rail gaps can be used in parallel.

For the use of very-high current systems, especially the ones requiringfast rise times such as necessary for theta pinch operation, the railgap inductance is still somewhat high.

Therefore, another plasma switch of the invention has been developedthat uses a coaxial design throughout, and its insertion loss into aparallel plate transmission line and its self inductance is only aboutthree nanohenries. This is shown in FIG. 9

The electrodes 296 and 298 of this coaxial plasma switch 300 are verymassive; about 10 pounds of the electrode material can be burned upbefore the electrodes have to be replaced, and the physical arrangementis such that, as in the case of the easily serviceable rail gap, notechnically skilled personnel is required and the exchange of theelectrodes can be done in approximately 15 seconds.

To exchange the burned up parts, all that is required for the embodimentshown is to loosen a contact bolt 302 on the transmission line(generally shown at 304) and drop down the old device. A new unit can beinserted in its place, pulled up against the transmission line contactwith the bolt 302, making the contact to the center electrode 296. Acontact ring 306 makes contact to the second, ring electrode 298, viaspring contacts 308, completing the assembly and the operation can berestarted again. The contact ring 306 is in electrical contact with oneflat plate conductor 310 of the transmission line 304 for better heatconduction away from the ring electrode 298 via the contact ring 306,the ring 306 can comprise a split design which is tightly pulled ontothe ring electrode 298, with appropriate contact made to the plate 310(not shown).

The drawing shows the switch 300 with its plug assembly 312 for theignition cable 314, and a section of transmission line 304 carrying theswitch connecting means.

The arc burns in a ring type fashion between the center electrode 296and the outer ring electrode 298, spreading over the entire innersurface. Ignition occurs at a section in the center of the centerelectrode, using a fast discharge generator as described earlier; theignition voltage is equal to or higher than the operation voltage of theplasma switch itself.

The electrode materials can be tungsten or copper-tungsten if so desiredfor increased service intervals. However, the ease of replacement ofthis switch type makes it possible to use ordinary iron as electrodematerial. If it is run in an inert gas atmosphere the lifetime is quiteadequate.

At a certain current flow, this coaxial switch 300 shows aself-interrupting capability. The magnetic field in the space betweenthe electrodes has a tendency to expand outwardly, and if it is strongenough, it blows out the arc by disconnecting it from the rim of theelectrodes.

This feature can be used to shorten the tail end of the discharge pulsethat normally would be slowly decaying. However, during that time nomore electro-hydraulic action is desired anyway. The shock front hasalready been generated and has expanded through the liquid and theradiation is no longer necessary.

If the current flow could be interrupted at this point that remainingenergy can be saved in the capacitor bank for the next pulse.

This type of pulse shortening cannot be accomplished by using a railgap, since the rail gap stays conducting until there is no more currentto support the arc. The coaxial switch interrupts itself, if run in thecorrect operating region. Therefore, no blower need be used, and theswitch case can be either filled with inert gas required for itsoperation (using iron electrodes) and then hermetically sealed off; orit can be connected to an external gas supply to keep it pressurized. Byadjusting the gas pressure, the switch insulation resistance can beselected.

There is a further operation mode possible. By setting the gas pressureat a certain value either at a permanently sealed switch or anexternally regulated one, the switch can be self igniting at a certainoperating voltage. Connected to a capacitor bank and to the firingchamber, automatic operation is possible, eliminating the need for theignition generator altogether.

When the hank voltage has reached its desired value, the switch breaksdown, firing the process chamber. At the point of highest current theswitch interrupts and the bank starts charging up again from the powersupply. This type of operation results in less flexibility in theoperation of a general purpose system such as the liquid processingsystem described, but can be used in the construction of a dedicatedsystem that is laid out for specific operation, such as for a fixed-sitesewage treatment plant or mineral recovery plant. Such a system cansubstantially reduce the amount of energy used, and such systems arealso less costly to build.

It is estimated that about 20 to 30 percent of the energy supplied tothe firing chamber is not useful but wasted during the current decay,and for a large scale operation the cost savings in energy can besubstantial--with the self interruption switch-operation describedherein.

Presently there is no other device available that can act as arepetitive fast interrupter for currents in the range between about 300kiloamperes and one megaampere. Experimentation has been done withphotoelectric devices in the high current region, but no useful andinexpensive switch has yet been constructed, particularly as would besuitable for use with the present invention.

The switch case 314, as shown in the drawing, is built as a sphericalcontainer large enough to hold a substantial amount of gas and alsolarge enough to accommodate the quantity of residue 316 generated byelectrode burnup. Several of these switches have been built withdifferent electrode materials using tungsten, copper, iron and thoriatedtungsten. A process station has been constructed that provides the meansto assemble these devices, clean them under vacuum conditions and fillthe switch cases with purified gases before the cavity is sealed.

The switch 300 shown in the drawing is an example of the remotelytriggered coaxial type having very low self-inductance. This type hasbeen built with a switch case diameter of 8 inches and a ring electrode(298) diameter of 6 inches. The switch shown in the drawing is of thepermanently sealed type.

The illustrated switch 300 can be exchanged for a replacement switch ina few moments by pulling the ignition cable 314 out of the bushing 318and loosening the bolt 302 at the top; this is done by turning theattached handle 320.

A ball bearing 322 aids in achieving a good contact between the upperplate conductor 324 of the transmission line and the center switchelectrode 296. The other electrode 298 has a sliding contact arrangementwith the contact ring 306 and the band of contact making springs 308, asshown and as briefly described above.

In the discharge circuit, the center electrode 296 is the anode and thesurrounding electrode 298 is the cathode. The reason for this is thatthe anode becomes hotter and is cooled by contact with the transmissionline plate 324, which in turn can be cooled by air flow against it. Thecathode is cooled through the switch case 314, which conducts the heataway and can be forced-air cooled also. For a 30 pulse/second (pps), 200kiloamperes operation of 4 kilojoules, the heat loss is a few hundredwatts, so that simple air cooling is quite adequate.

The switch shorts the transmission-line conductors 310 and 324 to eachother when fired.

An epoxy seal 326 is protected from the UV generated by the arc by aceramic ring 328, but it has been discovered that a mixture of epoxy andalumina powder works as well for the construction of the seal 326,eliminating the need for the ceramic ring 328.

As described earlier, the switch can blow out its own arc, if themagnetic field between the center electrode 296 and the ring electrode296 is strong enough, causing self-interruption. The field drives thearc downwardly until it is put far enough away from the electrodes thatit is extinguished.

Ignition is accomplished by rapidly charging an ignition electrode 330with high voltage, with the space between the electrodes 330 and 296acting as a capacitor. When the ignition arc breaks over, this capacitordischarges, giving a strong ignition current, whose rise time is quitefast. This causes an RF pulse that ionizes the gap between the elements330, 296 and 298 and the power arc jumps over and the switch startsconducting.

As shown in the drawing, much of the electrode material can be burnedaway and the switch will still operate, because the gap distance remainsthe same.

A good safe ignition voltage for this operation is about 100 to 150kilovolts,

The burn residue 316 falls to the lower part of the spherical switchcase, where it accumulates as shown in the drawing.

Switches such as shown in the drawing are easily manufactured andrefurbished. A solder seal at 332 can be melted as often as desired, anda new electrode pair can be soldered in.

The ignition electrode 330 can be exchanged by unscrewing a smallflathead screw 334 in the center of the assembly, but the ignitionelectrode outlasts many power electrode changes.

The ignition cable 314 may be a stripped coaxial cable of the typeRG220-U or similar.

The illustrated switch is held in place by the bolt 302 only, on thetransmission line assembly 304.

If it is desired to have greater cooling through the transmission linecontact, as stated above the ring 306 can be split and clamped tightagainst the ring electrode 298, giving good thermal contact at thislocation.

In this particular switch, the electrodes are made of regularconstruction steel tubing, and the ignition electrode 330 from SS304.

The switch case 314 is a thin wall stainless steel sphere, nickel platedfor solderability. A bushing body 336 at the bottom of the sphere isbrass and bushing insulator 318 is polycarbonate which is resistant toUV radiation.

Epoxy is used at 340 as well as at 326. The connections at 332 and 342are soft solder joints.

Shown at 344 is a copper tube, pinched off after gas fill.

The transmission line 304 can be constructed of plated steel oraluminum; it is desirable to use heavy material, since during thedischarge the electromagnetic forces have a tendency to separate the twoconductors. A dielectric at 346 in the transmission line ispolycarbonate sheet; in the case of a 20 kilovolt firing chamberoperation, 1/8 inch material is used.

This type of coaxial switch can switch 500 kiloamperes at 30pulses/second with the switch used alone; but it is better to use anumber of the switches in parallel, since the switches ganged inparallel will produce an increase in the lifetime of the switches thatis significantly greater than a succession of single switches usedalone. In other words, additional switch lifetime can be realized byspreading the switched charge out among a number of separate switches,at each firing. The reduced stress on each switch increases its lifetimein a manner approximating an exponential function.

X. Operation of Machines in Parallel (FIG. 10)

Operation of the liquid processing system as a modular concept for thebuilding of medium size processing plants is illustrated in the drawingof FIG. 10. (Such a system may handle from about 50,000 gallons/day toabout 1 to 2 million gallons/day. For higher flow rates, machines usingthe larger, opposed-electrode type firing chamber are more energyefficient, but such systems are also more costly to construct.

The liquid processing system of the invention is an open frameconstruction with exposed wiring, and high voltage components.

The system has to be operated in an enclosed area (for safetyconsiderations; and access should not be possible while the machine isunder operation or while any of the capacitors are still charged aftershut down). A safety system has been designed (not described herein)that automatically locks out access and shuts the machine down ifpersonnel access is required.

The operational controls are located away from the machines on remotecontrol panels, located outside the machine room.

Up to three machines can be located inside a cubicle. As shown in thedrawing, which is a top plan view, the various pipes and cables thatmanifold all machines 350 together run lengthwise through all cubicles;all machines are run in parallel.

Exhaust (air from switches and cooling air) is conducted through acentral duct 352, collecting discharge air from all cubicles.

XI. Narrow Band Operation; Resonating Chamber; Catalytic Operation;Laser Irradiation; Transducer-Induced Shock Waves; Self-Breakdown of ArcLamp (FIG. 11)

A significant part of the operation's cost of an electrohydraulic systemresults from the need to replace machine parts frequently.

The firing chamber electrodes as well as switch electrodes have a highspecific current load (amperes/surface area), since the dischargecurrents are quite high.

Also, it seems desirable to be able to selectively excite certainelectrical bonds between molecules or atoms by tuning the lightfrequency to just these excitation frequencies. This need comes not somuch into play for the use of this method in the wastewater/watersterilization or mineral recovery area, where a wide spectrum ofcompounds might want to be excited. Selectivity might be desirable,however, in the event that the mixture of chemical compounds dissolvedin the process liquid would give rise to unwanted reactions, if allchemical compounds are indiscriminately broken down at the same time.Also, in the catalysis of reactions one might selectively want to excitecertain chemical bonds, but not others.

If that can be achieved, a lot of energy can be saved in the process,since only the type of radiation really required would have to besupplied.

A processing chamber that is based on that principle is describedherein. The turbulence (believed to be necessary) in the chamber (forthe formation of larger particles of the precipitated insolublecompounds), and the excitation radiation are supplied separately andcoupled into the processing chamber.

Even if wide band radiation from an electrical discharge not takingplace within the firing chamber is supplied, the problems of materialloss from the process chamber walls due to electrolytic transportationcan be avoided, making the device last longer.

Also, by using certain elements in the discharge arc even with a simpledischarge lamp, matching of wavelength could be achieved. If coherentlight (laser source) is used, selective photolytic processing ispossible.

To achieve the required intensities, the discharges are pulsed as beforeand synchronized with the shock wave generator (transducer). A suitabletransducer can be constructed from a stack of piezoelectric plates, thatare coupled to a capacitive discharge machine. This is done to avoid thehigh excitation voltages, as would be required for a single crystalpossessing equal electrostrictive parameters.

The processing chamber can be made from a high Q material such as quartzor sapphire, so that any shock wave energy not used can be coupled backinto the transducer in phase, and no energy is wasted.

Another important feature is the possibility that flat wave fronts canbe used, giving uniform processing conditions throughout the entireliquid volume, and the dimensions of the processing chamber can betailored to the reaction wanted; i.e. the useful depth in which theradiation is still active (depending on the optical absorption of theprocess material).

Such a "solid state" processing chamber (or cell) would greatly increasethe operating efficiency of the system and would have a lifetime thatmight be indefinite.

One feature of the internally driven firing chamber (as describedearlier) is that, in the case of water based processed fluids at least,it is always electrically conductive. That is the reason why the energyfrom the storage bank has to be switched into the chamber using aseparate switch.

In the case of a separate light source, that would run in an (inert) gasatmosphere instead of conducting liquid, the need for a separate switchis eliminated, if the discharge lamp is triggered when the energy bankreaches its desired charge.

There are many designs and variations possible, using differentdischarge lamp configurations, piezoelectric or magnetic transducers,laser excitation or X-ray irradiation. Only the basic idea of separategeneration of irradiation energy and turbulence and their coupling intoa resonating process chamber is discussed here.

The accompanying drawing of FIG. 11 shows one device possible, where theprocess volume 400 is enclosed by a transparent envelope 402 andirradiated from the outside (radially). Piezoelectric transducers 404supply sonic energy into the volume (axially). Shown on the drawing isapproximately one-half of the unit; it is symmetrical about X and Yaxes.

The piezoelectric stack 404 is backed up by a (resonating) mass 406which acts as a reflector of the sonic waves also. This unit 406,depending on wave requirements, can be made from a solid piece (of highQ material), or a stack of quarter wave plates (having different sonicpropagation speeds) can be used (not shown), acting as a sonicmultilayer mirror, for the shock wave fronts.

The entire assembly is held together by a frame, a portion of which isshown at 408, that preloads the components with a mechanical force toprevent separation of the components.

Each transducer stack 404 comprises a solid, integrated unit by itself,fabricated from wafers of quartz; lithium niobate, lithium tantalate orceramics can be used, but quartz has been used in experiments. Theplates (cut in the "X" crystal axis direction) are deposited with silveralloy for conductivity and mechanical strength, then stacked and meltedtogether under vacuum and applied pressure. (An assembly station hasbeen constructed for this purpose.)

The electrical connections 410 are made on the sides of the stack 404.The rest of the components of the processing assembly are held in placejust by the pressure exerted by the frame 408, which balances thehydrostatic pressure in the process chamber via the spherical alignmentbearing 412 (hydraulic bearing) and 414 (bearing shell). Thisbearing-assembly is designed to allow the transducer-lens-unit to thetilted in any direction by approximately 11/2 of arc and then clampedinto place.

The illumination source is built around the chamber and is liquid cooledfrom both sides (416, 402). Process fluid cools the inside (viainlets/outlets 426 and manifolds 428), and the outside is water cooledusing heat sinks 416.

Since the lamp electrodes 430 (16 pieces for 8 lamp assemblies) are fedinto the arc chamber 431 for longer service intervals (feed mechanismnot shown), burnup products must be carried away. Therefore, a flowing(recirculating) gas process is used (gas inlets/outlets 418 conduct gasinto/out of the chamber).

The window 402 and the mirrors (eight pieces) 420 have to be kept cleanfrom burn products and the geometry of the discharge space and the gasflow (recirculated) accomplish this. The gas is directed along theenvelope of the window 402 and mirrors 420 (8 pieces) by a gasdeflection plate/radiation shield 422. The gas flow is along thesurfaces of these elements, and particles are drawn into the flow andcarried out of the chamber.

The assembly as shown can basically operate in any kind of pulse or CWmode, depending on the requirements of the chemicals to be processed.

It also should be pointed out that, depending on the optical line widthsrequired, the discharge gas and the gas pressure can be chosen asappropriate. A higher gas pressure can be used to give a broadbanddischarge, while a narrow band operation can be accomplished by usinglow gas pressure (in combination with metal vapors for certain spectrallines if required).

A further feature of this embodiment lies in the arrangement of thetransducers with respect to each other.

The transducers 404 transmit the sonic energy via a lens 424 that has acorrective curvature (drawn exaggerated in FIG. 11) incorporated on thecontact surface with the process liquid (as shown), or between twosections having different wave propagation speeds (not shown). Thissurface is shaped in such a way that the reflected waves coming backfrom the opposite lens surface (on the other side of the envelope 402)coincide with the transmitted wave after a number of cycles, spatially.

If both transducers (top and bottom as viewed in FIG. 11) are driven inphase, then the piezoelectric stacks 404 can induce a sonic standingwave into the process volume, consisting of a number of nodes.

The processing of the fluid can be done at elevated hydrostatic pressure(which helps conduction of the wave through the liquid), in which thestatic pressure applied to the bottom of the resonating mass 406 iscanceled by the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid in the space 400. Theframe 408 balances the forces. By using this method (of generatingstanding waves and of biasing the pressure by accurately aligning thetransducers/lens assemblies toward each other with bearings 412 and 414)the case can be avoided wherein the transducer assembly can undergo highnegative pressure anywhere within itself and therefore very high wavefront pressures can be transmitted into the liquid without creating ararefaction zone in the transducer/lens/resonating mass assembly, whichwould destroy the unit. Hydrostatic biasing in the embodiment shownmight be a few tens of thousands of psi, while the wave front pressuresmay reach a few hundreds of thousands of psi. The lens and transducermaterial cannot be overloaded, of course, but a sapphire lens should beable to withstand at least 1 to 11/2 million psi surface pressure.

As far as processing energy is concerned, the hydrostatic biasing doesnot require any energy, the fluid is brought up and down in pressure viaa pump driven by its own pressure against the other side of its piston.Only initial pressure has to be supplied, and some energy to make up forfriction losses.

The liquid manifold 428 is bolted to the hydraulic frame 408 (connectionnot shown). Shown at 432 are the electrical connections to capacitors(eight pieces--not shown), and at 434 is seen a sliding contact springfor the electrodes 430. A fluid connection 436 is shown for thehydraulic biasing pressure into the bearing 412. A flexible ring 438 issoldered to the resonating mass 406 that holds the transducer assembly(424, 404, 406) at the correct position within manifold and bearing. Thering 438 provides for slight axial movement of the transducer assembly,which in the case of a standing wave setup in the liquid volume, wouldhave a tendency to locate itself at a point of minimum pressure withrespect to the nodes in the liquid.

This self locating feature helps in the alignment and correct operationof the unit (under the condition of wandering of operating frequency),since it is a self stabilizing feature that minimizes material stress onthe surface most likely to undergo erosion.

The transducer driven processor shown in FIG. 11 may have an insidediameter (of the envelop 402) of four inches and an overall diameter ofabout 191/2 inches from heat sink to heat sink (416). It may be designedto process 150 thousand gallons per day and would have an approximatepower consumption of 60 to 75 kilowatts, depending on the excitationnecessary for processing different types of liquids.

Dimensions are shown (in inches) in some of the drawings discussedabove; these dimensions should be understood as examples only, for theexemplary process throughput rates discussed in connection with some ofthe figures, and to show relative sizes, radii of curvature, etc. ofvarious components. The dimensions are not to be taken as limiting theinvention to any particular size. Also, the terms "up," "down," "above,""below," etc. are intended only as references for understanding thesubject matter of the drawings, and not as limiting with respect tocirculation of system assemblies or components of the invention, sincenearly all components can be in different orientations from what isshown.

The above described preferred embodiments illustrate the principles ofthe invention but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.Variations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in theart and may be made without departing from the scope of the followingclaims.

I claim:
 1. An electro-hydraulic system for ionizing and separatingmaterials contained in a liquid, utilizing an intense electricaldischarge into the liquid for permeating the liquid with electromagneticradiation as well as a shock wave, comprising,firing chamber means forcontaining a volume of the liquid and for containing the electricaldischarge applied to the liquid, liquid circulating means for directingthe liquid into and out of the firing chamber means in a substantiallycontinuous flow, including means associated with the liquid circulatingmeans for introducing a vortex into the flow of the liquid through andout of the chamber, tending to cause the liquid to retain precipitatedsolids as it flows out of the firing chamber means, rather thandepositing them in the firing chamber means, a pair of electrodes in thefiring chamber means, and electrical current conducting means connectedto the electrodes for delivering a high intensity charge of electricalcurrent to and across the electrodes in the firing chamber means, thecurrent conducting means including switching means for handling thelarge pulses of current delivered to the electrodes, a high voltagepower supply means for supplying consecutive pulses of high voltage/highcurrent to the electrodes in the firing chamber means, and electrodereplacement means associated with the firing chamber means and thecurrent conducting means, for enabling replacement of the electrodes asthey are eroded from the electrical discharge.
 2. The system accordingto claim 1, wherein the vortex inducing means comprises an annular inletspace into which the process liquid inlet opens, and the process liquidinlet being offset and generally tangentially arranged with respect tothe annular inlet space, whereby liquid swirl is induced at the inlet ancontinues into the process volume.
 3. An electro-hydraulic system forionizing and separating materials contained in a liquid, utilizing anintense electrical discharge into the liquid for permeating the liquidwith electromagnetic radiation as well as a shock wave,comprising,firing chamber means for containing a volume of the liquidand for containing the electrical discharge applied to the liquid,liquid circulating means for directing the liquid into and out of thefiring chamber means in a substantially continuous flow, a pair ofelectrodes in the firing chamber means, and electrical currentconducting means connected to the electrodes for delivering a highintensity charge of electrical current to and across the electrodes inthe firing chamber means, the current conducting means includingswitching means for handling the large pulses of current delivered tothe electrodes, a high voltage power supply means for supplyingconsecutive pulses of high voltage/high current to the electrodes in thefiring chamber means, electrode replacement means associated with thefiring chamber means and the current conducting means, for enablingreplacement of the electrodes as they are eroded from the electricaldischarge, and hydraulic valve means upstream an downstream of thefiring chamber means in the flow of liquid, for inhibiting surging ofthe liquid in a backflow direction upstream of the firing chamber meansand in a forward direction downstream of the chamber upon occurrence ofsaid electrical discharge and shock wave, the hydraulic valve meanscomprising inlet and outlet conduits connected to the chamber, eachhaving flow restrictors for inhibiting rapid flow surges, and the flowrestrictor in the outlet conduit permitting a greater volumetric flowsurge than the restrictor in the inlet conduit upon discharge of theelectrical energy, whereby the system is self-pumping, serving as saidcirculating means.
 4. An electro-hydraulic system for ionizing andseparating materials contained in a liquid, utilizing an intenseelectrical discharge into the liquid for permeating the liquid withelectromagnetic radiation as well as a shock wave, comprising,firingchamber means for containing a volume of the liquid and for containingthe electrical discharge applied to the liquid, liquid circulating meansfor directing the liquid into and out of the firing chamber means in asubstantially continuous flow, a pair of electrodes in the firingchamber means, and electrical current conducting means connected to theelectrodes for delivering a high intensity charge of electrical currentto and across the electrodes in the firing chamber means, the currentconducting means including switching means for handling the large pulsesof current delivered to the electrodes, a high voltage power supplymeans for supplying consecutive pulses of high voltage/high current tothe electrodes in the firing chamber means and electrode replacementmeans associated with the firing chamber means and the currentconducting means, for enabling replacement of the electrodes as they areeroded from the electrical discharge, the electrode replacement meansincluding a head portion at an end of the firing chamber means, the headportion supporting the electrodes and being removable from the firingchamber means so as to close and seal the firing chamber means when inposition on the end of the firing chamber means but to open the firingchamber means when removed, and a hydraulic cylinder and pistonpositioned adjacent to the head portion of the firing chamber means, forexerting a force on the head portion to hold it in tightly sealedengagement with the firing chamber means when the hydraulic cylinder isunder fluid pressure, with the piston being retractable to permitrelease of the head portion when the fluid pressure in the hydrauliccylinder is released.
 5. The system according to claim 4, furtherincluding spring means connected to the head portion of the firingchamber means, so as to tend to separate the head portion from thefiring chamber means, so that the head portion will retract when fluidpressure is released in the hydraulic cylinder.
 6. The system accordingto claim 5, wherein the electrodes comprise a central electrode and anannular electrode positioned in surrounding relationship to the centralelectrode.
 7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the centralelectrode is a cathode, carrying negative charge.
 8. Anelectro-hydraulic system for ionizing and separating materials containedin a liquid, utilizing an intense electrical discharge into the liquidfor permeating the liquid with electromagnetic radiation as well as ashock wave, comprising,firing chamber means for containing a volume ofthe liquid and for containing the electrical discharge applied to theliquid, comprising a non-conductive body defining a general roundedinterior providing a firing chamber for the application of theelectrical energy, whereby the shock wave generated by the electricaldischarge is efficient in transferring energy to the liquid materialbeing treated, liquid circulating means for directing the liquid intoand out of the firing chamber means in a substantially continuous flow,a pair of electrodes in the firing chamber means, and electrical currentconducting means connected to the electrodes for delivering a highintensity charge of electrical current to and across the electrodes inthe firing chamber means, the current conducting means includingswitching means for handling the large pulses of current delivered tothe electrodes, a high voltage power supply means for supplyingconsecutive pulses of high voltage/high current to the electrodes in thefiring chamber means, and electrode replacement means associated withthe firing chamber means and the current conducting means, for enablingreplacement of the electrodes as they are eroded from the electricaldischarge.
 9. An electro-hydraulic system for ionizing and separatingmaterials contained in a liquid, utilizing an intense electricaldischarge into the liquid for permeating the liquid with electromagneticradiation as well as a shock ave, comprising,firing chamber means forcontaining a volume of the liquid and for containing the electricaldischarge applied to the liquid, liquid circulating means for directingthe liquid into and out of the firing chamber means in a substantiallycontinuous flow, a pair of electrodes in the firing chamber means, andelectrical current conducting means connected to the electrodes fordelivering a high intensity charge of electrical current to and acrossthe electrodes in the firing chamber means, the current conducting meansincluding switching means for handling the large pulses of currentdelivered to the electrodes, a high voltage power supply means forsupplying consecutive pulses of high voltage/high current to theelectrodes in the firing chamber means, and electrode replacement meansassociated with the firing chamber means and the current conductingmeans, for enabling replacement of the electrodes as they are erodedfrom the electrical discharge, the electrodes including at least onerod-like electrode an further including electrode feed means connectedto said one electrode, for feeding the electrode into the firing chambermeans as needed, at approximately the rate at which the end of theelectrode is eroded away in the electrical discharge process, serving assaid electrode re placement means.
 10. An electro-hydraulic system forionizing and separating materials contained in liquid, utilizing anintense electrical discharge into the liquid for permeate the liquidwith electromagnetic radiation as well as a shock wave, comprisingfiringchamber means for containing a volume of the liquid and for containingthe electrical discharge applied to the liquid, liquid circulating meansfor directing the liquid into and out of the firing chamber means in asubstantially continuous flow, a pair of electrodes in the firingchamber means, and electrical current conducting means connected to theelectrodes for delivering a high intensity charge of electrical currentto and across the electrodes in the firing chamber means, wherein theelectrodes comprise two opposed rod-like electrodes with a gap betweenthem in said firing chamber means and have hollow ends, whereby agenerally cylindrically shaped discharge arc can be formed between thetips of the two electrodes, and whereby magnetic forces associated withthe discharge between the two electrodes can compress the arc in aplasma pinch effect, tending to shift the electromagnetic radiationassociated with the discharge from the near ultraviolet to the farultraviolet, the current conducting means including switching means forhandling the large pulses of current delivered to the electrodes, a highvoltage power supply means for supplying consecutive pulses of highvoltage/high current to the electrodes in the firing chamber means, andelectrode replacement means associated with the firing chamber means adthe current conducting means, for enabling replacement of the electrodesas they are eroded from the electrical discharge.
 11. The systemaccording to claim 10, wherein the electrodes are hollow through theirlengths and further including means for conducting liquid coolantthrough the electrodes to cool them during operation of the system. 12.An electro-hydraulic system for ionizing and separating materialscontained in a liquid, utilizing an intense electrical discharge intothe liquid for permeating the liquid with electromagnetic radiation aswell as a shock wave, comprising,firing chamber means for containing avolume of the liquid and for containing the electrical discharge appliedto the liquid, liquid circulating means for directing the liquid intoand out of the firing chamber means in a substantially continuous flow,comprising a continuous flow circulating system, including hydraulicshock absorber means upstream and downstream of the firing chambermeans, without positive flow-stopping valves in either side of thefiring chamber means, the hydraulic shock absorber means comprisingmeans utilizing the inertia of the liquid upstream and downstream of thefiring chamber means for resisting the flow surges of the liquid awayfrom the firing chamber means both upstream and downstream, a pair ofelectrodes in the firing chamber means, and electrical currentconducting means connected to the electrodes for delivering a highintensity charge of electrical current to and across the electrodes inthe firing chamber means, the current conducting means includingswitching means for handling the large pulses of current delivered tothe electrodes, a high voltage power supply means for supplyingconsecutive pulses of high voltage/high current to the electrodes in thefiring chamber means, and electrode replacement means associated withthe firing chamber means and the current conducting means, for enablingreplacement of the electrodes as they are eroded from the electricaldischarge.
 13. The system according to claim 12, further includingchamber shock absorber means for attenuating the shock wave within thefiring chamber means, after it has passed through the liquid volume,reducing the intensity of flow surges approaching the hydraulic shockabsorber means.
 14. The system according to claim 13, wherein thechamber shock absorber means includes a flow restriction between aprocess liquid inlet and a process volume in the firing chamber means.15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the chamber shock absorbermeans further includes a narrowing of the firing chamber means at anexit end of the process volume and an angular flow direction changedownstream of said narrowing, leading to an outlet.
 16. Anelectro-hydraulic system for ionizing and separating materials containedin a liquid, utilizing a intense electrical discharge into the liquidfor permeating the liquid with electromagnetic radiation as well as ashock wave, comprising,firing chamber means for containing a volume ofthe liquid and for containing the electrical discharge applied to theliquid, liquid circulating means for directing the liquid into and outof the firing chamber means in a substantially continuous flow, a pairof electrodes in the firing chamber means, and electrical currentconducting mans connected to the electrodes for delivering a highintensity charge of electrical current to and across the electrodes inthe firing chamber means. the current conducting means includingswitching means for handling the large pulses of current delivered tothe electrodes, a high voltage power supply means for supplyingconsecutive pulses of high voltage/high current to the electrodes in thefiring chamber means, and electrode replacement means associated withthe firing chamber means and the current conducting means, for enablingreplacement of the electrodes as they are eroded from the electricaldischarge, the electrode replacement means comprising a assembly ofstacked components held and sealed together by releasable compressiveforce, including a firing chamber body having an open upper end or headend, a lid assembly including a center electrode and a ground electrodeand an insulator between the electrodes and configured to engage andclose the open end of the firing chamber body when inserted thereinwithin the center electrode and ground electrode extending into thefiring chamber body, with sealing means sealing the open end of thechamber body when the lid assembly is pressed against it, and hydraulicram means for pressing the lid assembly against the firing chamber bodyto hold the assembly of stacked components together with hydraulic forceupon application and maintenance of hydraulic pressure, and frame meansengaged by both the firing chamber body and the hydraulic ram means andproviding a rigid reactive structure against which the hydraulic forceacts to keep the stack of components together during operation of theliquid processing system.
 17. The system according to claim 16, whereinthe hydraulic ram means includes a piston and the stack of componentsincludes a load centering means engaged by the piston, for assuring evenapplication of force from the piston to the stack of components, withoutside loading.
 18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the loadcentering means includes a load transfer plate with a recess forreceiving the piston, and with a disc of material which softens undergreat pressure, positioned in the recess such as to be engaged by thepiston and as to be confined between the piston and the load transferplate when force is applied through the piston, whereby even applicationof the piston's force is assured.
 19. The system according to claim 16,wherein the stack of components also includes means for makingelectrical contact of the electrodes to an electric transmission lineupon application of hydraulic force, forming a part of said currentconducting means.
 20. The system according to claim 19, wherein saidmeans for making electrical contact comprises a ground plate connectorengaged by the firing chamber body when hydraulic force is applied, aconductive ground disc connected to the ground electrode for contactingthe firing chamber body in good electrical contact when the force isapplied, and a conductive center electrode disc or anvil connected tothe center electrode and making good electrical contact with apower-carrying conductor of the electric transmission line, with theground electrode being hollow and the center electrode extending throughthe ground electrode, with insulation between the center electrode andthe ground electrode and between the ground disc and the centerelectrode disc.
 21. The system according to claim 20, wherein theelectric transmission line comprises a flat plate transmission line. 22.An electro-hydraulic system for ionizing and separating materialscontained in a liquid, utilizing an intense electrical discharge intothe liquid for permeating the liquid with electromagnetic radiation aswell as a shock wave, comprising,firing chamber means for containing avolume of the liquid and for containing the electrical discharge appliedto the liquid, liquid circulating means for directing the liquid intoand out of the firing chamber means in a substantially continuous flow,a pair of electrodes in the firing chamber means, and electrical currentconducting means connected to the electrodes for delivering a highintensity charge of electrical current to and across the electrodes inthe firing chamber means, the electrodes each including a burnup volumewhich can be burned away in the operation of the system through repeatedelectric discharge substantially without affecting the operation of thesystem, and substantial without enlarging the distance between opposedelectrodes, the current conducting means including switching means forhandling the large pulses of current delivered to the electrodes, a highvoltage power supply means for supplying consecutive pulses of highvoltage/high current to the electrodes in the firing chamber means, andelectrode replacement means associated with the fitting means and thecurrent conducting means, for enabling replacement of the electrodes asthey are eroded from the electrical discharge.
 23. An electro-hydraulicsystem for ionizing and separating materials contained in a liquid,utilizing an intense electrical discharge into the liquid for permeatingthe liquid with electromagnetic radiation as well as a shock wave,comprising,firing chamber means for containing a volume of the liquidand for containing the electrical discharge applied to the liquid,liquid circulating means for directing the liquid into and out of thefiring chamber means in a substantially continuous flow, a pair ofelectrodes in the firing chamber means, and electrical currentconducting means connected to the electrodes for delivering a highintensity charge of electrical current to and across the electrodes inthe firing chamber means, the electrodes including a rod-like electrodeand electrode feed means for continuously feeding the rod-like electrodeinto the firing chamber means as the tip of the electrode is consumed inthe electrical discharge, and including an insulator sleeve surroundingthe rod-like electrode and insulator sleeve extrusion means forcontinuously extruding the insulator sleeve and advancing it into thefiring chamber means as the end of the insulator sleeve is burned away,the current conducting means including switching means for handling thelarge pulses of current delivered to the electrodes, a high voltagepower supply means for supplying consecutive pulses of high voltage/highcurrent to the electrodes in the firing chamber means, and electrodereplacement means associated with the firing chamber means and thecurrent conducting means, for enabling replacement of the electrodes asthey are eroded from the electrical discharge.
 24. An electro-hydraulicsystem for ionizing and separating materials contained in a liquid,utilizing an intense electrical discharge into the liquid for permeatingthe liquid with electromagnetic radiation as well as a shock wave,comprising,firing chamber means for containing a volume of the liquidand for containing the electrical discharge applied to the liquid,liquid circulating means for directing the liquid into and out of thefiring chamber means in a substantially continuous flow, a pair ofelectrodes in the firing chamber means, and electrical currentconducting means connected to the electrodes for delivering a highintensity charge of electrical current to and across the electrodes inthe firing chamber means, the electrodes including a rod-like electrodeand electrode feed means for continuously feeding the rod-like electrodeinto the firing chamber means as the tip of the electrode is consumed inthe electrical discharge, and including an insulator sleeve surroundingthe rod-like electrode and insulator burn resistant means for preventingburnup of the insulator sleeve, the current conducting means includingswitching means for handling the large pulses of current delivered tothe electrodes, a high voltage power supply means for supplyingconsecutive pulses of high voltage/high current to the electrodes in thefiring chamber means, and electrode replacement means associated withthe firing chamber means and the current conducting means, for enablingreplacement of the electrodes as they are eroded from the electricaldischarge.
 25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the insulatorburn resistant means comprises said insulator sleeve being forced of acomposite insulator material formed of particles of a first material ofhigh temperature resistance in a second, carrier material whichsubstantially liquefies at it surface under shock wave pressure and hightemperature to form a burnup-resistant film with particles of the firstmaterial at the surface.
 26. At electro-hydraulic system for ionizingand separating materials contained in a liquid, utilizing an intenseelectrical discharge into the liquid for permeating the liquid withelectromagnetic radiation as well as a shock wave, comprising,firingchamber means for containing a volume of the liquid and for containingthe electrical discharge applied to the liquid, liquid circulating meansfor directing the liquid into and out of the firing chamber means in asubstantially continuous flow, a pair of electrodes in the firingchamber means, and electrical current conducting means connected to theelectrodes for delivering a high intensity charge of electrical currentto and across the electrodes in the firing chamber means, the currentconducting means including switching means for handling the large pulseof current delivered to the electrodes, the switching means comprising aself-interrupting coaxial discharge switch comprising: a pair of coaxialelectrodes, including a center electrode and a ring electrodesurrounding the center electrode, providing a low self-inductance, eachelectrode having a substantial burnup volume available for burning awayas the switch is repetitively fired, still permitting operation of theswitch after a substantial portion of each electrode has burned away,gas bath means for establishing plasma arc operating conditions aboutthe electrodes, triggering means for providing even ignition of a plasmaring between the two electrodes, and cooling means for conducting heataway from both electrodes during operation of the switch, a high voltagepower supply means for supplying consecutive pulses of high voltage/high current to the electrodes in the firing chamber means, andelectrode replacement means associated with the firing chamber means andthe current conducting means, for enabling replacement of the electrodesas they are eroded from the electrical discharge.
 27. The systemaccording to claim 26, wherein the triggering means comprises anignition electrode means adjacent to the center electrode and the ringelectrode, for providing a radio frequency trigger in the vicinity ofthe center and ring electrodes when the ignition electrode is activated.28. The discharge switch in claim 27, including remote operating meansfor triggering the ignition electrode.
 29. The system according to claim26, further including self interrupting means for enabling the switch tointerrupt its own current after a preselected time interval.
 30. Thesystem according to claim 29, wherein the self-interrupting meanscomprises means associated with the position and configuration of thecenter and ring electrodes for interrupting the plasma arc current flowwhen a sufficient magnetic field has built up in the gap between theelectrodes due to current flow through the electrodes to push the plasmaarc axially away from the gap to the extent that the arc isextinguished.
 31. The system according to claim 26, wherein the gas bathmeans comprises a hermetically sealed container substantiallysurrounding the center electrode and the ring electrode, and containinga volume of selected gas under pressure, with the container being ofsufficient volume and depth to contain burn residue from the operationof the switch and to handle a substantial volume of the burn residuewithout interfering with the operation of the switch.
 32. Anelectro-hydraulic system for ionizing and separating materials containedin a liquid, utilizing an intense electrical discharge into the liquidfor permeating the liquid with electromagnetic radiation as well as ashock wave, comprising,firing chamber means for containing a volume ofthe liquid and for containing the electrical discharge applied to theliquid, liquid circulating means for directing the liquid into and outof the firing chamber means in a substantially continuous flow, a pairof electrodes in the firing chamber means, and electrical currentconducting means connected to the electrodes for delivering a highintensity charge of electrical current to and across the electrodes inthe firing chamber means, the current conducting means includingswitching means for handling the large pulses of current delivered tothe electrodes, the switching means comprising a blown rail gap switchwith means for rapid replacement of electrode rails, a high voltagepower supply means for supplying consecutive pulses of high voltage/highcurrent to the electrodes in the firing chamber means, and electrodereplacement means associated with the firing chamber means and thecurrent conducting means, for enabling replacement of the electrodes asthey are eroded from the electrical discharge.
 33. The system accordingto claim 32, wherein the means for rapid replacement comprisesstationary conductor assemblies and keyed slide means secured to each oftwo parallel rail electrodes, for sliding the rail electrodes out of thestationary conductor assemblies and replacing them with new railelectrodes.
 34. A self-interrupting coaxial discharge switch for highcurrent/high voltage switching, comprising,a pair of coaxial electrodes,including a center electrode and a ring electrode surrounding the centerelectrode, providing a low self-inductance, each electrode having asubstantial burnup volume available for burning away as the switch isrepetitively fired, still permitting operation of the switch after asubstantial portion of each electrode has burned away, gas bath meansfor establishing a conductive plasma between the electrodes, triggeringmeans for providing even ignition of a plasma ring between the twoelectrodes, cooling means for conducting heat away from both electrodesduring operation of the switch, and self-interrupting means for enablingthe switch to interrupt its own current after a preselected timeinterval.
 35. The discharge switch of claim 34, wherein theself-interrupting means comprises means associated with the position andconfiguration of the center and ring electrodes for interrupting theplasma arc current flow when a sufficient magnetic field has built up inthe gap between the electrodes due to current flow through theelectrodes to push the plasma arc axially away from the gap to theextent that the arc is extinguished.
 36. A self-interrupting coaxialdischarge switch for high current/high voltage switching, comprising,apair of coaxial electrodes, including a center electrode and a ringelectrode surrounding the center electrode, providing a lowself-inductance, each electrode having a substantial burnup volumeavailable for burning away as the switch is repetitively fired, stillpermitting operation of the switch after a substantial portion of eachelectrode has burned away, gas bath means for establishing a conductiveplasma between the electrodes, comprising a hermetically sealedcontainer substantially surrounding the center electrode and the ringelectrode, and containing a volume of selected gas under pressure, withthe container being of sufficient volume and depth to contain burnresidue from the operation of the switch and to handle a substantialvolume of the burn residue without interfering with the operation of theswitch, triggering means for providing even ignition of a plasma ringbetween the two electrodes, and cooling means for conducting heat awayfrom both electrodes during operation of the switch.
 37. Aself-interrupting coaxial discharge switch for high current/high voltageswitching, comprising,a pair of coaxial electrodes, including a canterelectrode and a ring electrode surrounding the center electrode,providing a low self-inductance, each electrode having a substantialburnup volume available for burning away as the switch is repetitivelyfired, still permitting operation of the switch after a substantialportion of each electrode has burned away, gas bath means establishing aconductive plasma between the electrodes, triggering means for providingeven ignition of a plasma ring between the two electrodes, cooling meansfor conducting heat away from both electrodes during operation of theswitch, and means for connecting the switch assembly to a flat platetransmission line, including a threaded bolt connector for drawing thecenter electrode up against a conductor of the transmission line,insulative means for holding the ring electrode in position with respectto the center electrode, and contact spring means action between theoutside of the ring electrode and an inner annulus of a connectorassociated with a second conductor of the transmission line, forsecuring electrical contact between the ring electrode and the secondconductor of the transmission line.
 38. A self-interrupting coaxialdischarge switch for high current/high voltage switching, comprising,apair of coaxial electrodes, including a center electrode and a ringelectrode surrounding the center electrode, providing a lowself-inductance, each electrode having a substantial burnup volumeavailable for burning away as the switch is repetitively fired, stillpermitting operation of the switch after a substantial portion of eachelectrode has burned away, gas bath means for establishing a conductiveplasma between the electrodes, triggering means for providing evenignition of a plasma ring between the two electrodes, and cooling meansfor conducting heat away from both electrodes during operation of theswitch, comprising means associated with the assembly of the switch forconducting heat from the center electrode out through one conductor of atransmission line to which the switch is connected.
 39. The coaxialdischarge of claim 38, further including means for cooling the ringelectrode comprising a heat-conductive contact between the ringelectrode and a gas-containing enclosure at the exterior of the switch,whereby the gas-containing enclosure conducts heat to atmosphere fromits outside surface.
 40. The coaxial discharge switch of claim 38,wherein the cooling means further comprises a connecting seal betweenthe center electrode and the ring electrode, comprising anepoxy-beryllium oxide composite, for both mechanically retaining theposition of the ring electrode with respect to the center electrode andfor conducting heat from the ring electrode through the centerelectrode.
 41. A self-interrupting coaxial discharge switch for highcurrent/high voltage switching, comprising,a pair of coaxial electrodes,including a center electrode and a ring electrode surrounding the centerelectrode, providing a low self-inductance, the ring electrode isretained in position with respect to the center electrode by a seal ofan ultraviolet-resistant material contacting both electrodes, the sealbeing of electrically insulative material, the seal being formed of anepoxy-beryllium oxide composite, whereby the seal will conduct heat fromthe ring electrode through the center electrode without providing anelectrically conductive path, each electrode having a substantial burnupvolume available for burning away as the switch is repetitively fire,still permitting operation of the switch after a substantial portion ofeach electrode has burned away, gas bath means for establishing aconductive plasma between the electrodes, triggering means for providingeven ignition of a plasma ring between the two electrodes, and coolingmeans for conducting heat away from both electrodes during operation ofthe switch.
 42. A system for removal of substances from liquids, byhigh-energy electrical discharge into a contained volume of liquid,comprising:a firing chamber assembly comprising a series of stackedcomponents including a firing chamber body having within it a hollowspace substantially defining the firing chamber volume, an electricalpower transmission plate above and in electrical contact with the firingchamber body, an electrode assembly extending through an opening in thepower transmission plate, closure means associated with the powertransmission plate and the electrode assembly for closing the volume ofthe firing chamber body at the end with the power transmission platewhen the elements are assembled, and a piston and cylinder above thefiring chamber, with means connecting the piston to the closure meansand to the electrical power transmission plate to engage the componentswith hydraulic pressure from the piston and cylinder, and includingspring means for urging the stacked components apart, so that theyretract from the assembled configuration when hydraulic pressure isreleased.